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GPS is vulnerable, says study

By Preeti Vasishtha, GCN Staff

The Global Positioning System is susceptible to both unintentional disruption from atmospheric effects and communications equipment and potential deliberate disruption, a study released today said.

The Transportation and Defense departments sponsored the study, Vulnerability Assessment of the Transportation Infrastructure Relying on the Global Positioning System, to assess the vulnerability of the national transportation infrastructure that relies on GPS.

The study recommended:

  • Creating awareness among the aviation, maritime and surface user community of GPS’ vulnerability


  • Implementing systems to monitor, report and locate unintentional interference to GPS


  • Assessing the applicability of military GPS technology to make it available for civilian use


  • Identifying backup systems and developing low-cost systems as backups to GPS


  • Continuing the ongoing GPS modernization program.


    • “The Department of Transportation takes this report’s findings very seriously, and we will be working to ensure that GPS will fulfill its potential as a key element to the nation’s transportation infrastructure,” said Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta.

    The department will hold a public meeting next month to seek views on the study.

    More news on related topics: IT Security



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